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Delta State student organizes World Afro Day event set for Sept. 15

By September 10, 2021Students
Phiandrea Pruitt, a senior Social Work major from Memphis, Tenn., is the visionary behind the “World Afro Day” event, set for Sept. 15 in the H.L. Nowell Student Union.

CLEVELAND, Miss.—What started as a Google search motivated one student at Delta State University to bring a global day of awareness to the campus community.

Phiandrea Pruitt, a senior Social Work major from Memphis, Tenn., is the visionary behind the “World Afro Day” event, set for Wednesday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the east and west wings of the second floor of Delta State’s H.L. Nowell Student Union.

Endorsed by the United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, World Afro Day is a global day of change, education and celebration of Afro hair and identity.

After first organizing the campus event in 2019, Pruitt said she is excited to bring the educational experience back to the Delta State community this year.

“Afro is short for ‘Afrocentric,’ and this day of awareness was created to celebrate hair of different textures,” said Pruitt. “Even if you do not have an afro or Afrocentric hair, you are still encouraged and welcomed to participate in this event.”

According to Pruitt, the event will feature several give-a-ways for both men and women. In addition, there will be pop-up shops, panel discussions, a social hour and a paint party.

“We will be providing giveaways throughout the day—you will not leave empty-handed,” said Pruitt. “Don’t’ miss out!”

Michelle De Leon, founder and CEO of World Afro Day®, was inspired to start World Afro Day because she wanted children of African descent to feel good about their hair. Since its inception in 2017, World Afro Day has spread from the United Nations to the United States and has been mentioned from news sources like BBC News, British Vogue and Sunday Times.

Click HERE to learn more about World Afro Day.

For questions or more information, contact Pruitt at ppruit2@okramail.deltastate.edu